Impact of splenic artery ligation after major hepatectomy on liver function, regeneration and viability

Sci Rep. 2016 Oct 11:6:34731. doi: 10.1038/srep34731.

Abstract

It was reported that prevention of acute portal overpressure in small-for-size livers by inflow modulation results in a better postoperative outcome. The aim is to investigate the impact of portal blood flow reduction by splenic artery ligation after major hepatectomy in a murine model. Forty-eight rats were subjected to an 85% hepatectomy or 85% hepatectomy and splenic artery ligation. Both groups were evaluated at 24, 48, 72 and 120 post-operative hours: liver function, regeneration and viability. All methods and experiments were carried out in accordance with Coimbra University guidelines. Splenic artery ligation produces viability increase after 24 h, induces a relative decrease in oxidative stress during the first 48 hours, allows antioxidant capacity increment after 24 h, which is reflected in a decrease of half-time normalized liver curve at 48 h and at 72 h and in an increase of mitotic index between 48 h and 72 h. Splenic artery ligation combined with 85% hepatectomy in a murine model, allows portal inflow modulation, promoting an increase in hepatocellular viability and regeneration, without impairing the function, probably by inducing a less marked elevation of oxidative stress at first 48 hours.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / physiology
  • Cell Survival
  • Hepatectomy / mortality
  • Hepatectomy / rehabilitation*
  • Hepatocytes / cytology
  • Hepatocytes / metabolism
  • Ligation / methods
  • Liver / blood supply
  • Liver / cytology
  • Liver / surgery*
  • Liver Function Tests
  • Liver Regeneration / physiology*
  • Male
  • Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / physiology
  • Necrosis / metabolism
  • Necrosis / pathology
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Primary Cell Culture
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Spleen / blood supply
  • Splenic Artery / surgery*
  • Superoxides / metabolism
  • Survival Analysis

Substances

  • Superoxides